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    Rutgers All-American George Mulligan dead at 86

    George Mulligan, Rutgers All-American wrestler at the 1955 NCAAs who is considered to be "Father of Wrestling in Bay County" in Florida, died Monday, June 18 while out for a walk in his adopted home of Florida. He had just turned 86 years old.

    Mulligan was a four-time letter-winner and team captain for the Scarlet Knights wrestling program at The State University of New Jersey in the early 1950s. As a senior, Mulligan placed fourth in the 147-pound bracket at the 1955 NCAA championships at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Mulligan made it to the semifinals, where he lost to eventual champ Eddie Eichelberger of Lehigh ... then, in the consolation round, fell to eventual 1960 Olympic gold medalist Doug Blubaugh of Oklahoma State.

    Mulligan graduated from Rutgers with a degree in psychology in 1955. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, where he eventually served as an officer and a pilot in Pensacola, Fla.

    After his Naval service, Mulligan embarked on a successful career in the classroom and as a coach. He taught geography at Bay High School in Panama City, Fla. from 1959-1961 and launched the school's intramural wrestling team. Following that, he taught and coached at Middlesex High School in New Jersey. Mulligan returned to the Sunshine State and earned a master's degree in counseling from Troy State before serving as guidance counselor and test administrator at Tom P. Haney Vocational Center for 22 years.

    Mulligan was instrumental in helping high school wrestling in the Bay County area and as assistant coach at Bay High from 1975 to 1982. He was recognized as the "Father of Wrestling in Bay County" in September 2017 with the dedication of a memorial bench at Bay High School.

    Visitation will take place Friday, June 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Kent-Forest Lawn, 2403 Harrison Ave., Panama City, Fla. with Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, Father Guillermo Arias, SG officiating. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery at the above address.

    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending donations to the Bay High School wrestling program, 1200 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401.

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